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Dahlias come in a fascinating variety of shapes and sizes, and the pom-pom types, with their rows of incurved petals, resemble old-fashioned bathing caps. Dahlia 'Franz Kafka' lends itself - ironically, given its name - to a relaxed cottage-garden

This bright, contemporary container filled with sunny gazanias and rudbeckia plants is just the thing to jazz up your garden for the summer. It looks effective on its own or placed in a group with others, and best of all it's quick and easy to plant

Add a cottage-garden feel to your patio with this simple pot project. The trio of narcissus, carex and aubretia provides instant colour, as plants can be bought in flower. If other spring flowers catch your eye at the garden centre, you could use

.Plant the roses in the centre of the bath, towards the back. Then evenly space the heucheras around the edge, filling in the gaps with the salvias and violas.Fill around your plants with compost, firming it with your fingers. Place the container in a sunny

to spread over the summer.Position the box on a sunny windowsill, bearing in mind the nemesia will reach 30cm tall once established. Be ready to cover it if frost is forecast overnight.AdamRemove the old blooms as soon as they fade and both plants

of the window then check that the window can open and close.If necessary, adjust the amount the window opens by rotating the main tube of the vent opener.On a sunny day, watch and wait to see that the vent is opening properly.AdamFit opening windows on the side

Basil is an easy herb to grow, and does well on a warm, sunny window sill. After about five weeks, the seeds will be ready for pricking out. You can keep basil plants indoors all summer, or transplant them outside in late-May. Basil seeds

Even a small pond will make a big difference to your garden, attracting a wide range of creatures. Let wildlife find your pond naturally and it will soon become a thriving habitat for anything from mayflies to hedgehogs.Give your pond the best

eggs? Collect old flower stalks or bamboo canes, follow our simple steps and you could be watching the fascinating insects in your garden this summer.A plank of untreated wood or ply at least 10cm wideA plentiful supply of hollow stems such as reeds

with neighbours who have fruit trees to make sure they practise similar hygiene. Choose scab-resistance fruit varieties, and plant trees in open, sunny positions.As soon as the leaves emerge until late July, spray plants regularly with a fungicide that contains